No position got more investments this off-season for the Chicago Bears than defensive tackle. No fewer than five new faces joined the group, headlined by three draft choices in Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, and Travis Bell. One could also count DeMarcus Walker in that mix since many believe he'll be utilized as an interior pass rusher, similar to his time in Tennessee. However, one name has gone overlooked for most of the off-season. That is veteran Andrew Billings, fresh from a stint in Las Vegas.
Greg Gabriel thinks not enough people are talking about this signing. The former Bears scouting director and XFL personnel executive thinks he can be a perfect fit in Matt Eberflus' scheme. His presence against the run alone will be a boon.
"The starting nose will more than likely be Billings. It's my opinion that he is the most unheralded signing this spring. At 6'1, Billing isn't tall, but he has length and is very explosive coming off the ball. He can penetrate and disrupt and will be excellent against the run.
Billings may be one of the strongest players in the entire League. In high school, he was the Texas state powerlifting champ with his three lifts (bench press, squat and deadlift) totaling a record 2010 pounds. That's when he was an 18-year-old teenager; he's stronger now!"
While the Raiders run defense wasn't anything special last season, its deficiencies weren't because of Billings. His 22 run stops for no gain or a loss were the second-highest of his career. It was by far the best among all their defensive tackles. Remember, the Bears were 31st against the run last season.
The Chicago Bears know exactly what they're getting in Billings.
They didn't sign him to solve their pass rush issues. That was never his game. His arrival was meant to do one thing: shore up the run defense. Getting him for only $3.5 million at 28 years old is a bargain. He and Dexter should fortify the interior for the Bears and take pressure off the linebackers. It will also allow Justin Jones and Pickens to utilize their considerable talents as interior pass rushers. If everything goes as intended, the Bears' defensive line should be much improved.
It won't be great. They still lack a definitive star for the ground. This feels more like a deep group of solid role players. That isn't a bad thing. It should make the Chicago Bears far sturdier than last year. Still, it feels like this unit is another off-season away from becoming a genuine force to be reckoned with. Either way, Billings looks like a quality addition at a reasonable price. That is how good teams handle their business in free agency.
